Crowning-machine



T. J. KULA.

'cRowmms MACHINE; APPLICATION men MAR-2.11920.

} 1,401,591 Patented Dec. 27, 1921 II E -l 5 Y 4 (a I I l \3 Th am 615 Illa Ali a;

w w W3 mnortas'a. Ku n, or Mnnmo, cononano;

E FFEiCEA i cRowN ne-Macmnn Application-filed March a,

T 0. all whom it. may concernr Be it known that I, THOMAS'J Kore, a OllJlZQIl: of theiUnited States, residing at 'Merino, in the county ofLogan and Stat'e of Colorado, have invented new and useful Improvements 1n. Crowning Machlnes, of

. which the following is a specification.

invention to produce a machine whereby alfalfa or other growth. of vegetation may be crowned or cut down in an easy and eX- peditious manner and left on the ground for the plowing operation.

It is a further object to produce a wheeled implement having a transversely arranged shaft operated by the ground wheels of the implement and carrying any desired number of spiral blades which work in unison to effect a cutting action on alfalfa or other vegetation.

It is a still further-object to produce a wheeled implement in which a spiral cutter is employed. and to provide means whereby the cutter may be adjusted vertically so that the vegetation may be cut at desired he ghts.

It is a still further object-to produce a crowning machine which shall be of a comparatively simple construction, cheaply manufactured, easily operated and thoroughly efficient in operation.

The foregoing, and other objects which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, may be accomplished by a construction, combination and operative arrangement of parts, such as is disclosed by the drawings.

In the drawings V Figure 1 is a top plan view of a crowning machine constructed in accordance with this invention. v

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view illustrating the manner in which one of the spiral cutting blades may be attached to the spokes which radiate from the revoluble shaft.

In carrying out my improvement I con Speeificationof Letters Patent. V .jf5 t t jj c 1920. Serial no: 362. 35: 1

struct a rframe 1 which has its 'si de m'embers adjacent -its*re'ar end provided jwith depending brackets} 2 that-have bearings for the revoluble axle 3 on which the ground wheels 4 are mounted. The front axles which carries; the steering" wheel f6 is- "pivotally connected to the front endof the frame in the usual manner, Eand'to the front axle or to the bolster therefor there-is attached' a" tongue? to whichthe draft animals are secured.

On the side members of the frame; forward of the rear or ground wheels 1 there are secured oppositely disposed depending bracket members 88. The brackets Shave their lower portions slightly curved and are provided with elongated slots 9. In these slots 9 thereis'receiv'ed the reduced ends or t-runnions 10 of a shaft 11. On the trunnion ends 10 of the shaft 11 there are secured sprocket wheels 12 aroundwhich are trained sprocket chains 13 that are also trained around sprocket wheels 14 secured to the revolublerear aXl-e 3. The sprocket wheels 14 are of'a greater diameter than the sprocket wheels 12, and it will be apparent that when the machine is in motion the shaft 11 will be revolved. I V

The shaft'll hasits reduced or trunnioned ends 10 provided with collars 15 to which are attached links 16..

Journaled in bearings 17 on the upper:

surfaces of the side members of the frame 7 1 is a rod 18. This rod has angle ends 19 which are connected by pivots to the respective links 16. The rod has also fixed thereon a lever 20 provided with a handle opseat 23, and by the operation thereof it will be apparent that the shaft 11 may be raised or lowered through the slotted brackets 8. On the shaft 11 there are spaced radially disposed arms or spokes 24. To the outer ends of these arms or spokes are connected. the spiral cutter members 25.

The cutter members have one of their edges sharpened as at 26. Any desired number of spiral cutters may be employed, and it will be ap-. parent that as the cutters are brought to engage with the vegetation over which the machine passes the same will be u 01 crowned so that such vegetation can be. readily turned under the soil in the plowing operation and thus fertilizing the {for the'new crop to be planted,

It is thought that the foregoing description,- when 'taken in connection with the drawings will render the construction of the machine, the operation thereof and its :advantages'phinto those "skilledin the art towhich the invention-relates. It is to be understood that the description and draw- ,ingsrefer to a satisfactory embodiment of the invention as it nowvappearstoi me, and

that I amentitled to make such departures therefrom asfall Within the scope of my .claim.

Having thusdescrihedfthe invention, what [In a crowning maohinefor-outting alfalfa and like growth ofvegetation for arranging l the sameli on 1 thflgrqund Priorto th p ing which turns the growth underthe soil for manuring purposes; a frame having drive Wheels jjourrialed at one end thereof and guide Wheels journaled at the opposite end thereof, oppositely arranged depending slotted braeketson the frame between thewheels thereof,'a Shaft having its ends received through-the slots of the brackets,

journals on the outer ends of the shaft means connected to said journa1s,-=means on the frame connected with said first inentioned means .for adjusting the shaft :V61'- tlcally With respet to theiframe, spokes ra- 'diatin'g from the frame, spiraloutters secured on theouterendsof the spokes,-and

meansiactuatedby the drive Wheels of'the' machine for revolving theshaft. In testimony whereofI affixvmy signature. i i i THOMAS J; KULA. 

